ADJUSTMENT AND EVALUATION OF CROPGRO-SOYBEAN AND CERES-MAIZE FOR DIFFERENT GENETIC MATERIAL IN A REGION OF MATO GROSSO STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

Considering the importance of the use of crop models as an aid measure in the management of the agricultural production system, the objective of this study was to assess the performance of a soybean and maize models, CROPGRO-Soybean and CSM-CERES-Maize, respectively, for different genetic materials and water regime in the two annual cropping seasons in a region of Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Models were adjusted and evaluated, respectively, with field experiments under irrigated and rainfed conditions, by using crop production parameters and phenology. Model performance was generally variable in the rainfed conditions, especially when water deficit was more pronounced during the season. Values of coefficient of agreement, d, varied between 0.22 – 0.50 and 0.10 – 0.80 and maximum RMSE of grain yield were of 2.5 and 2.7 t ha-1 for soybean and maize, respectively. Results indicated model’s sensibility to water stress, which was more accentuated in the second agricultural season, when maize is usually cultivated. In an overall analysis, the soybean and maize crop models provided satisfactory results regarding simulation of crop growth and development, indicating to be a useful agricultural management tool for the most important agricultural crops in Mato Grosso state, although adjustments regarding parameters of soil water availability would increase models’ performances.